Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi explained the reasoning behind the five changes he made in the starting XI against AmaZulu FC.
Chiefs took on Usuthu at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night, just three days after suffering a 1-0 defeat to their bitter rivals, Orlando Pirates, in the Soweto Derby.
Ahead of the midweek encounter, Nabi made several changes to the lineup that faced the Buccaneers. Notably, George Matlou was absent and did not make the bench. The newly signed trio of Glody Lilepo, Thabo Cele, and Tashreeq Morris all started the match, while Samkelo Zwane, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Njabulo Blom, and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe were left out.
Yusuph Maart joined Cele in midfield, marking a significant change in the team’s structure. The Tunisian mentor cited fatigue as the first reason, noting that the match was scheduled too soon after the Soweto Derby, leaving some players with insufficient time to recover.
THE REASONS BEHIND THE CHANGES EXPLAINED
“The changes were due to fatigue two days after the big game [against Pirates]. [It was] demanding physically and mentally,” said Nabi when FARPost asked.
The former AS FAR Rabat tactician also hoped for a fresher, more competitive, and balanced team.
“With those changes, we needed a competitive team with a good balance to give us three points. That’s the only thing we were thinking. It was to get a good performance and get three points today.”
The 59-year-old coach also mentioned that the GPS system indicated some players who participated in the Derby were in the red regarding their fitness levels.
“Also, some players that the GPS showed from the last game were a little bit in the red zones. Like someone like Ox [Mthethwa]. Even today, at the end of the game, he had some discomfort in his muscles due to the fatigue.”
The final reasons were an injury to Matlou and suspension for Blom, who picked his fourth yellow card against Pirates.
“We have players that have been injured for quite some time. Blom was suspended today, and George Matlou was injured last time and unavailable today. He will not be available for the next game either.”
Amakhosi visit Stellenbosch FC in their next league encounter on Friday in Cape Town. They will be hoping to collect maximum points. Chiefs have collected 22 points from 16 games. They won six, drew four, lost six, and are currently fifth on the log.
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